Can birth control trends explain the rise in abortions? It's complicated
Medical professionals are observing that birth control decisions are increasingly influenced by social media misinformation rather than post-Roe v. Wade abortion policy concerns. Influencers are promoting 'natural' methods and criticizing hormonal contraception, which doctors warn is medically misleading.
Why it matters
The shift highlights the growing impact of social media health trends on public health outcomes and patient-provider relationships.
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Right after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, there were many stories about how new state abortion bans were influencing people's birth control decisions, especially by prompting people to use long-acting or permanent options.
Research shows that it wasn't just anecdotal, the trend was real — more people got intrauterine devices and implants for birth control, and procedures like vasectomies and tubal ligation spiked.
Public Health How ob-gyns are handling more requests for sterilization after 'Roe' was overturned These days, though, Dr. Caitlin Bernard , an OB-GYN in Indianapolis who helps lead a statewide free birth control program , says her patients aren't talking much about the abortion ban that's been in place in the state for years.
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